A friend gave us a package of this delightful treat just before Christmas, and everyone in my house loved it. Christmas is over, and I did mean to share this before the holiday because it is so delicious, but we got sick and…I didn’t. So I changed things up a little bit and came up with what I call Cupid’s Crunch (and you’ll find many variations on Pinterest or via Google search, I have) which is so easy to do and SO yummy!

How to make it– pop popcorn, set aside. Be sure to pick any unpopped kernels out- they aren’t fun to bite into when you don’t expect them!

Melt the candy melts at 30 second intervals in the microwave if you want this done quickly. Otherwise, you can always do a double boiler method (it’ll take longer), stirring frequently.

Toss broken pretzels and M&Ms into the bowl with popcorn. Then pour 1/2 the melted candy over the top and combine with a rubber spatula. (I actually found that using 2 rubber spatulas worked a lot better for me and I didn’t get covered in Cupid’s Crunch mess!)

Spread mixture out on a sheet of wax paper- drizzle remaining melted candy over the top.

Sprinkle the nonpareils, candy bits or sprinkles (I call them shots)

After the chocolate dries/firms up again, break into bits and either store in an airtight container (for about a week) or package it up into treat bags to share with friends, classmates and neighbors! If you try to do it before the chocolate is ready, you’re going to have a big mess on your hands. Of course, you can always lick your fingers. But really, it’s better to wait. I promise.

The fun part of this recipe? Thanks to the candy makers all finding holidays fun for products, you can make this mix for every holiday and for no reason at all! Next Christmas we may get those holiday shaped pretzels and leave them whole, for a fully themed crunch.

Want to make this a NUT FREE recipe? Use the Vermont Nut-Free Chocolate’s “Skippers” as an M&M alternative. Be sure your pretzels are nut-free as well, and voila! Nut free treat!

I have spent hours online trying to find the original source for this recipe. I can’t find it. I’ve modified it, and I’m sure you will too!

just finished a batch and can’t wait for it to cool, looks yummy. I added 1 c of flaked coconut. during the holidays I made something like this using chex, cherrios, pretzles, m&m’s and chocolate. I have another to try (because I love peanut butter) gram crackers, marshmallows, m&m’s (don’t think mini chocolate chips would hold up to the melted chocolate) and use peanut butter chocolate to hold it all together. thanx

I am so happy I happened upon your blog, this is an awesome idea. I usually send my daughters and my grandchildren a home made treat for Valentine’s Day, and this will be the recipe I use this year!!! Thank you!

Love this recipe/mix! Also, for allergy free be careful of the melting chocolate…..most of the time this too is processed on the same equipment as nuts and other foods. There are certain kinds that are made that are super safe. Just got to check labels and sometimes make a call…..

Just an FYI on the allergens: WIlton processing is not allergy safe. I have found other alternatives for Wilton sprinkles. LAtely, Target has sprinkles in their $1 spot that are labeled for allergens, ie: safe for peanut and tree nut. Planning on trying this for my grandkids…

Jayne- Interesting. I will note that next time. My friend’s kids have nut allergies but apparently are life threatening- they eat wilton sprinkles even (I bought a TON Of those safe Target sprinkles- and keep doing so when I find them!!)

Looks great!! Just a tip to make it safe for allergies, check your sprinkles!! A lot of sprinkles are made on equipment that processes nuts as well! I’m a teacher and have a nephew with an allergy and this came up last year in my class!!